How to Get an Italian Driving Licence (Category B)

Getting your Italian driving licence (patente B) involves a medical check, some payments, an online application, a theory exam and a practical exam. Here is the whole process, step by step.

Step 1 — Visit your personal doctor (Medico di Base)

• Go to your family doctor (medico di base / medico curante).
• Ask for an anamnesis certificate (medical history document).
• This is needed for the official medical check.
• Cost: ~€40 (most doctors charge this in cash — bring cash with you).

Step 2 — Pay stamp duty for the medical certificate (PagoPA)

• Pay €16 via PagoPA on the Portale dell'Automobilista.
• Code: N019 – "IMPOSTA DI BOLLO".
• This replaces the old physical marca da bollo.
• You must pay this before your medical visit.
• Download and print (or save) the receipt — the doctor needs it.
• You cannot do the medical visit without this payment.

Step 3 — Book & attend the official medical visit

• Book your appointment via app or online (e.g. through your region's health portal or a certified medical centre).
• You go to the doctor's office (studio medico); the doctor is an authorised medical examiner (medico certificatore).

Bring:

• ID document (original)
• Codice Fiscale
• Anamnesis certificate from your GP (Step 1)
• Receipt of the N019 PagoPA payment (Step 2)

The doctor will check your eyesight and general health and issue an official medical certificate for driving eligibility.

💶 You usually pay the medical-visit fee on the day. Depending on where you go, you may need to pay at the office cashier on site, or you can pay the doctor directly in person — bring cash and keep the receipt.

Step 4 — Online application (Portale dell'Automobilista)

• Go to: https://www.ilportaledellautomobilista.it
• Create an account or log in (you may need SPID or CIE).
• Select: "Patente di guida – Conseguimento" (Getting a licence).
• Upload the required documents:
  • ID document (front and back)
  • Codice Fiscale
  • Official medical certificate
  • Passport-style photo (foto tessera)
  • Proof of medical fee payment
• Pay the application fees via PagoPA:
  • T067 – "ESAME DI TEORIA CONSEGUIMENTO PATENTE DI GUIDA" = €26.40 + €16.00.
• Submit your application (form TT2112).

Step 5 — Book your theory exam

• After your application is approved, log back into the portal.
• Go to the theory exam booking section.
• Select your licence category (e.g. Category B for car).
• Choose an available date and time and confirm your booking.
• Keep the confirmation on your phone or print it.

Step 6 — Theory exam day

Where to go: the venue shown on your booking confirmation. It is often the Motorizzazione Civile office, but it can be a different authorised exam centre — so check the confirmation you received when booking.

Bring:

• ID document (original)
• Codice Fiscale

Rules:

• No mobile phones or electronic devices allowed — use the lockers provided before entering.
• The exam has 30 questions.
• You have 20 minutes to complete it.
• Maximum 3 errors allowed to pass.

Results:

• IDONEO (ID) = PASSED ✓
• RESPINTO (RE) = FAILED ✗
• The risposte errate column shows how many wrong answers you had.

Step 7 — After passing — get your Foglio Rosa

• Pay €16 via PagoPA to book your practical exam.
• Code: N019 – "ESAME DI PRATICA CONSEGUIMENTO PATENTE DI GUIDA".

⚠️ This is a second N019 payment — different from the one paid for the medical certificate.

• Wait 1–2 working days for the system to process your theory result.
• Then go to the Motorizzazione Civile in your city to collect it. Check the office's opening hours for licence services — some accept walk-ins, others require an appointment.

Bring: ID document (original).

What is the Foglio Rosa?

• A temporary learner's permit, valid for 12 months.
• It lets you practise driving (with an instructor).
• You can take the practical exam up to 3 times during this period.

Step 8 — Driving lessons & practice

• Enroll in a driving school (autoscuola).
• Complete the mandatory minimum hours (at least 6 hours for Category B).
• Practise driving with a qualified instructor.
• You cannot drive alone during the foglio rosa period.

Step 9 — Practical (driving) exam

• Book your practical exam through your driving school or the portal.
• The examiner assesses your driving on real roads.
• You have up to 3 attempts during your foglio rosa validity; if you fail all 3, you must restart the process.

Tips:

• Practise parking, roundabouts and highway driving.
• Know the basic vehicle safety checks.
• Stay calm and follow all road signs.

Step 10 — You've passed! Get your full licence

• After passing the practical exam, your full driving licence is issued.
• It is sent to your registered address by post.
• You may receive a temporary paper licence in the meantime.

Quick summary

1. GP visit → get the medical history certificate
2. Pay the €16 stamp duty (N019)
3. Official medical visit (pay the fee on the day — at the cashier or directly to the doctor)
4. Submit the online application + pay fees
5. Book the theory exam online
6. Take and pass the theory exam (max 3 errors)
7. Collect the foglio rosa (1–2 working days later)
8. Complete driving lessons (min. 6 hours)
9. Take and pass the practical exam (up to 3 attempts)
10. Receive your full driving licence 🎉